Clowns, Choirboys and an Adept

North Miami Beach, FL February 11, 2001 Aaron H.
Schectman

THINKING ALLOWED
Essays on issues, ideas and reflections on the times. Published now and
then, Opinions pro or con are welcome.
CLOWNS, CHOIRBOYS AND AN ADEPT

Have you noticed the clowns and choirboys who have crowded the pool of
possible nominees for most elected positions here in the good old U.S. of A?
Down here in the wild precincts of South Florida we have seen the clownish
behavior of those who would wish to be seen as choirboys. I will only point
to but not comment further about two such stellar performers as Joe Corrollo
and Alex Paneles.

Being good looking and coming forward with the right credentials and being
electable by excitable partisans seems to be good enough in most situations.
Being adept at governing a polyglot citizenry and honest enough to manage
huge amounts of money does not simply require good looks and the right
credentials. Our representatives must also be adept at government.

I must be honest and say that the credentials of our former president, his
six plus height and his management of his propensity to overeat have not
hurt him. He was adept at government and especially in his effort to solve
the riddle of peace in the Middle East. He was not adept at blowing sour
notes in his serenade before, during and following his residency in the
highest office of the land.

Have you heard the good news about the President who is ignoring the fact
that he was elected without the requisite majority of votes? He seems to be
doing a good job. His counselors and managers are adept, which is
acceptable by most Americans as long as he doesn't embarrass us. Our old
president has embarrassed us frequently and egregiously. He asks not that we
pardon him but take him as he is. He pretends not to be any thing other
than the careless judge of right behavior as he strives to do "the right
thing."

It is unfortunate that our present President will probably be adept at
undoing many of the right things accomplished by our old president. But so
it goes. The clowns have left the scene except for the clownish behavior of
B.C. We wait to see how the choirboys do. What do you think?
Carol's Evaluation: 9.5 out of 10. Carol also says: "Why do you ask what
they think? They don't answer."